Cut, n. 1. An opening made with an edged instrument; a cleft; a gash; a slash; a wound made by cutting; as, a sword cut.
2. A stroke or blow or cutting motion with an edged instrument; a stroke or blow with a whip.
3. That which wounds the feelings, as a harsh remark or criticism, or a sarcasm; personal discourtesy, as neglecting to recognize an acquaintance when meeting him; a slight.
Rip called him by name, but the cur snarled, snapped his teeth, and passed on. This was an unkind cut indeed.
W. Irving.
4. A notch, passage, or channel made by cutting or digging; a furrow; a groove; as, a cut for a railroad.
This great cut or ditch Secostris... purposed to have made a great deal wider and deeper.
Knolles.
5. The surface left by a cut; as, a smooth or clear cut.
6. A portion severed or cut off; a division; as, a cut of beef; a cut of timber.
It should be understood, moreover,... that the group are not arbitrary cuts, but natural groups or types.
Dana.
7. An engraved block or plate; the impression from such an engraving; as, a book illustrated with fine cuts.
8. (a) The act of dividing a pack cards. (b) The right to divide; as, whose cut is it?
9. Manner in which a thing is cut or formed; shape; style; fashion; as, the cut of a garment.
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut.
Shak.
10. A common work horse; a gelding.
He'll buy me a cut, forth for to ride.
Beau. & Fl.
11. The failure of a college officer or student to be present at any appointed exercise.
12. A skein of yarn. Wright.
A cut in rates(Railroad), a reduction in fare, freight charges, etc., below the established rates. — A short cut, a cross route which shortens the way and cuts off a circuitous passage. — The cut of one's jib, the general appearance of a person. — To draw cuts, to draw lots, as of paper, etc., cut unequal lengths.
Now draweth cut...
The which that hath the shortest shall begin.
Chaucer.